Reborn in 1979, with a female educated youth lying next to me.

"I heard that Liu Jia and his team's baskets are going to be exhibited. Is that true?"

Director Li was taken aback, realizing that the matter couldn't be kept secret any longer, so he simply admitted it.

"Yes, this time the supply and marketing cooperatives of several counties held a joint event, and some people from the supply and marketing cooperatives came over and took a liking to those bamboo baskets."

"If that basket order goes through, Liu Jia will be rolling in money this time, right? I heard that if this order is secured, it'll be worth at least this much!"

After Cao Xiangyang finished speaking, he held up one finger and gestured in front of Director Li.

Director Li frowned slightly.

I knew I hadn't misjudged Cao Xiangyang. This table was a trap; he came prepared!

Regardless of what they knew, Liu Jia was going to use the basket for a trade fair, and they even found out the exact number of orders for the fair!

It seems that what follows cannot be dealt with in just a few words.

Director Li smiled and simply laughed it off.

"What do you mean? A hundred baskets? There can't be that many, can there?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Xiangyang's voice immediately rose.

"Director Li, are you kidding me? The number I'm talking about is at least a thousand! Who do you think you are, giving me a hundred baskets!"

"So many? I'm not quite sure about that. Is the number you're asking about true or false?"

Director Li's eyes widened in disbelief.

Cao Xiangyang sneered.

"You know better than I do what's going on. There's no need for us to beat around the bush. If we can't reach an agreement, so be it. But if we could, how much would Liu Jia give you?"

"No, absolutely not. I keep things very separate when it comes to orders; I keep public and private matters distinct!"

"So, Director Li's situation is only ambiguous with me?"

Cao Xiangyang's voice was tinged with coldness, and he showed no mercy to Director Li when he spoke.

Director Li, sitting opposite him, was restless. He blinked several times before finally lowering his head.

At my age and in my position, let alone those who come to buy things with money, very few people in the entire supply and marketing cooperative would give me a hard time.

But in front of Cao Xiangyang, everything was reversed!

Just thinking about it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Director Li knew that if Cao Xiangyang wasn't given a result, this matter wouldn't be resolved.

So, Director Li simply spoke frankly and openly.

"So... what do you want? Didn't I tell you before that I would definitely consider you first in any clothing business, and I have done so?"

During the questioning, Director Li did not forget to remind Cao Xiangyang that all his current achievements were the result of his own efforts.

A hint of disdain appeared on Cao Xiangyang's lips.

"That business doesn't have much sales volume, it's far less than the baskets. If you really want to help me, get our garment factory's finished clothes to the exhibition."

Upon hearing this, Director Li's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

"What? That's a bit of a problem. Your ready-made clothes cost several dollars a set, which are for rich people. How can ordinary people afford them?"

"Bamboo baskets are different. They cost only a few cents each and are practical. There's no comparison between the two."

As he spoke, Director Li suddenly realized something, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Brother Cao, what do you mean? You're not thinking of replacing the basket with ready-made clothes, are you?"

Although Director Li lowered his voice, his tone was still full of surprise.

Cao Xiangyang finally showed a satisfied expression and then slowly nodded.

"No, that's not something I can decide. Besides, the notice has already been sent out, how can it be changed!"

Director Li's face was filled with tension, and his voice became hoarse.

"I can't worry about that now. I won't back down when it comes to Liu Jia!"

"The contract last time was almost signed, but you made the decision on your own in the end. You have to make amends for this matter to some extent."

Cao Yangyang spoke slowly and deliberately, leaving Director Li completely bewildered.

Where is a place to eat? It's practically murder!

That guy surnamed Cao, his methods are too ruthless!

How could I possibly make such a big decision?

Before long, Director Li's forehead was covered in a layer of sweat, the largest beads of which were the size of soybeans.

At this moment, Cao Xiangyang smiled, picked up his chopsticks, personally picked up a piece of braised pork, and began to eat it with great interest.

At that moment, Director Li had no time for anything else.

……

The basket was delivered the next morning.

Liu Jia got up very early. Seeing that the weather wasn't very good, he went out early after breakfast.

It was a cloudy day with a cool breeze, not as hot as when the sun was out, but Liu Jia's cycling speed did not decrease at all.

Not only that, Liu Jia looked up at the sky while riding his bicycle.

"It must not rain at this time, or it will be a real problem."

Although bamboo baskets are not afraid of getting wet, those that have been rained on are still not as good as those that have never been rained on.

Moreover, he was also carrying some peanut skins, which were wrapped in coarse white cloth.

If it really rains, these peanut skins will be doomed.

All the way, Liu Jia prayed that a timely rain would not come.

Liu Jia's heart finally settled down when he arrived at the warehouse of the Hongxing Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

After warmly greeting the gatekeeper, Liu Jia parked his bicycle and went to complete the necessary procedures.

As Liu Jia was leaving, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

Cao Xiangyang?

Liu Jia had long known that since they were both suppliers in the supply and marketing cooperative, it was inevitable that they would meet. However, she did not expect to run into Cao Xiangyang so soon.

As she was about to leave, Cao Xiangyang was wandering around the courtyard. Liu Jia thought that as long as she pretended not to see him, it would be normal for her to push the cart out.

After all, he knew Cao Xiangyang, but Cao Xiangyang might not know him.

With this thought in mind, Liu Jia strode towards the bicycle.

Suddenly, a hurried voice came from behind.

"Liu Jia, wait a minute. Did I give you an extra ticket? I need to keep one for myself."

Seeing that Liu Jia was about to leave, the purchasing agent stamped his feet anxiously and chased after her while shouting.

Liu Jia stopped and instinctively took out the receipt from his pocket to check it.

Beside him, Cao Xiangyang slowly stopped, his gaze turning cold.

Turning his head to look in Liu Jia's direction, Cao Xiangyang revealed a meaningful smile.

Liu Jia, so you're Liu Jia!

Cao Xiangyang had originally planned to go see Director Li, but he suddenly changed his mind.

"Yes, this is the ticket. I'm so sorry, I was confused just now. Luckily I realized it early, otherwise I would have had to come all the way to find you."

The purchasing agent's face was full of apology.

Liu Jia shook his head and said nonchalantly, "It's okay, it's good that we found it."

The purchasing agent said a few more polite words before leaving.

But Liu Jia stopped.

Cao Xiangyang was staring at him without moving, his expression displeased.

Liu Jia met his gaze and made direct eye contact with him.

snort!

You think I'm afraid of you just because you wear glasses? You underestimate me!

Finally, Cao Xiangyang could no longer contain himself and took a step forward. "Are you Liu Jia?"

"Yes, is something the matter?"

"Oh, I've heard Guo Xiaoyan mention you. Now that Cao Xiaoyan has returned to the city, are you still earning work points in the village?"

While asking the questions, Cao Xiangyang looked Liu Jia up and down.

He wore a military green sleeved cotton vest, dark blue coarse cloth trousers, and shoes with handmade, multi-layered soles.

Comparing himself to Cao Xiangyang, a sense of superiority arose spontaneously.

I was wearing a crisp white shirt, ready-made trousers, and leather sandals.

Just by looking at their outfits, anyone could tell that the two were not in the same league.

Before he knew it, a smile appeared on Cao Xiangyang's face.

Liu Jia responded immediately, neither humble nor arrogant.

“There’s nothing shameful about earning work points. This is the way of life for most ordinary people. A few years ago, the leaders even encouraged people to go to the countryside to work. Wasn’t that because they wanted people to go where they were needed?”

"If I'm not mistaken, you must have just returned to the city, right? You can't waver in your resolve!"

Liu Jia spoke slowly and deliberately, but his tone was mature and unpretentious.

Cao Xiangyang was completely stunned.

The tone is like an elder lecturing a younger person. How come, as you talk, it sounds like you're the one who's inferior to the elder?

With an awkward cough, Cao Xiangyang raised his head and asked, "You talk a lot. Do you know who I am?"

"Two of a kind."

"What? What two-cake?"

Liu Jia smiled.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, in our village, people who wear glasses are called 'Erbing'."

"Those who seem smart are called Erbing, while those who are mentally challenged or slow to react are called Sha Erbing."

"There aren't many people like you under normal circumstances."

Cao Xiangyang tried hard to follow Liu Jia's words, but he still couldn't quite figure out what Liu Jia meant.

There aren't many people like me.

Does he think I'm the kind of person who's slow to react and not good at thinking?

Is that Sha Erbing?

Instantly, Cao Xiangyang was enraged!

"Liu Jia, if you've got the guts, say it again!"